Formally educated at a film / journalism: After high school, I attended a semester of college and realized I was studying too much theory and not learning what I felt was truly vital to become a broadcaster. I left college and eventually went to the Connecticut School of Broadcasting (CSB), where I was finally able to exercise my creativity and get my hands dirty. Despite what my cousin told me years ago about radio, my interests were set on television; however, the school always reminded us to keep our minds open. I tackled every assignment and every exercise with nothing but my best effort, and along with Broadcasting Certification, I received awards for excellence in:
Broadcast Journalism
Non-Linear (Avid) Editing
Speech and Copywriting
Radio Performance
Radio Production
Television Technology
Immediately after my time at CSB, I became a Production Intern for News 12 Long Island, where I was allowed to handle equipment. I was sent out to gather sound bites, and I was put in charge of logging footage and cutting B-Roll.
Shortly after my first day at News 12, I moved over to WNYW FOX 5 as an Engineering/Production Trainee, where my main duties included dubbing footage and supplying blank Beta tapes to anyone who needed them. And while I was with FOX, I was also cast as a Voiceover Talent for P.O.V. Documentaries on PBS, where I mainly read copy for promos. I currently do voiceovers on a freelance basis.
Towards the latter stages of my time with WNYW, my father had spoken to me about going back to college and finishing my education. He pressed that I could be the first Dela Cruz to earn a degree, and what happiness it would bring to my whole family. Considering the path I was already on, I don’t believe I’ll ever truly know if going back to school was vital or necessary to continue working towards my goals. Nevertheless, it meant so much more to me to make my family proud.
In the Fall of 2006, I decided to go back to college; I attended the Manhattan Campus of the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), where I declared my major to be Communication Arts: TV & Radio Production. When taking on the material, I quickly understood and noticed that I was at a huge advantage thanks to my previous education through CSB and work experience.
While continuing my pursuits towards becoming a successful broadcaster, I became a Dance Instructor at Starlight Dance Studio in November of 2007. I have been a working student since then, and have helped my students win competitions along the way. I am also reporting for NYIT-owned news operation, LI NEWS TONIGHT. And May 23, 2010 is the day I will receive my Bachelor’s Degree, along with an honorary award for Excellence in Radio, Golden Key Society Recognition, and Summa Cum Laude honors. Where I go from then and there is a story yet to be written...
Assignment types I'm interested in:
Lifestyle, Technology, Environment, Arts and Entertainment, Business, Health, Music, News
Roles I prefer:
VJ / on camera
Equipment:
video camera, external mic, editing software
Skills
Lighting: Beginner
Shooting: Proficient
Editing: Advanced
Interviews: Expert
Directing: Advanced
Producing: Proficient
External mic: Advanced
Sound: Proficient
Storytelling: Expert
Research: Advanced
Inspirations:
Edward R. Murrow, Matt Lauer, Conan O'Brien, Ryan Seacrest
Favorite movies:
Live from Baghdad, Dirty Dancing, The Insider, Shall We Dance?, One Crazy Summer, Ferris Bueler's Day Off
Favorite music:
Salsa, Latin, Orchestra, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Bee Gees, Michael Jackson, Elliott Yamin, Kevin Rudolph, Kris Allen